What can a pregnancy ultrasound determine other than the baby’s sex?

During an ultrasound, the number of babies, the amniotic fluid, the placenta, and the position of the baby are examined, as well as your anatomy to exclude problems with your uterus or ovaries. When looking at the baby, the technologist measures body parts such as the skull, the abdomen, and the bone in the thigh. This allows your doctor to estimate the fetal age and an estimated due date. The doctor then tries to evaluate each major organ system to look for any abnormalities. Such things as head/face anatomy, trunk, spine, and limbs, are all looked at carefully. Though ultrasound is not a perfect test for picking up a birth defect, a normal scan should be reassuring to you and your family.

For more information on pregnancy, call Woman and Child Services at East Jefferson General Hospital, at (504)454-5555.